Sleepy Baby

I never pass up an opportunity to take a photo of my kiddos sleeping. I actually will always go out of my way to snap one or twenty. It is one of my favorite things to watch my little guys sleep. They look so peaceful and young and innocent. I can't get enough of it. And his hat just takes it to a whole new level of adorable. 

Zoo'd

 Monday it was a breezy 82 outside and we knew we had to take advantage of the opportunity to be outside since the heat wave was coming. (And here right now!) We joined Anne and little miss Ava at the zoo. We hit the hot spots and were home for lunch and nap time. It is nice having a membership so you don't feel bad only staying for a bit.

It was a busy day too since it was nice out and it was Members Monday which means you get a free train ride. We jumped in line at the end of our day thinking it wouldn't be long. Ten minutes later people were wondering what was up. This isn't a big time zoo with big time train rides or anything. Turns out there was a branch that fell and was on the tracks they had to clear out of the way. Luckily we were on the next train... finally. And the boys loved it so the wait was worth it. :)

 

 Asher is always so interested in babies. He wants to watch them and talk to them. It is so cute!

To My Four Year Old

My little Jaxson. This next year is going to be a big one for you. You are making new friends and going to start at a brand new school. It will be a whole new world for me to leave you and have you come home with stories and new information about all different things. You will be teaching me things soon I believe. It is a little bittersweet since you will always be my baby. This last year you have changed and grown so much. Your shyness is slowly wearing off and all the others around us are seeing the thoughtful and caring, but silly and funny, little boy that you are. Sometimes you leave me in awe, like the other night when I came home from work. I went to tuck you in but all you wanted to know is if I had eaten anything for dinner yet because you didn't want me to be hungry. Asher and you are becoming true friends, or I should say partners. I have seen you put him before you in so many things, helping him outside, making sure he has money in his piggy bank, or letting him play with your 'big boy toys'.  It makes me proud of the person you are. Anyone would be lucky to have you be their son. I wouldn't trade you for the world.

Growing Up

Tuesday morning when Jaxson stumbled to the table for his yogurt he was all smiles. Sometimes you don't know what you are going to get when you wake him. He ate his yogurt while staring at his (to him) awesome Spiderman cake and pile of presents waiting to be opened. Being the patient little guy that he is he didn't even ask to open them. I even asked him to take a few guesses, and he just smiled and sweetly said, "I don't know, I will have to wait until I get to open them."

We headed to Mel's (their old daycare I work at now two days a week) since I had to be there as usual on Tuesdays. So he got to play with three of his best friends all morning. But I wanted to make sure his birthday was special, just a little bit better than just a 'normal' day. So I had asked Ryder's mom if she minded if I took them to a movie. She was happy to let me snag him for the afternoon and Mel let Asher crash at her place while we went!!

I have never seen two boys so excited in my life. They giggled and talked the entire way to the theater. They talked about their grandma's and the tractors we saw on the way. They played silly games about closing one eye and then opening then closing. They both seemed to completely understand how to play and thought it was hilarious. I on the other hand was lost on that one. Once we got checked in and grabbed popcorn (which was on special for only 1.50 for a small bag!!) we settled into our seats. They watched and giggled and giggled and giggled. After the movie we played a couple arcade games and made a pitstop at the potty. They were so good and the movie (Madagascar 3) was pretty entertaining too.

It was birthday boy choice for dinner of course. He requested we make our own pizzas. He loves rolling the dough and putting on his favorite toppings. Broccoli and mushrooms. This night he also added a little ham as well.

Asher is becoming Jaxson's shadow lately. He is never far behind Jaxson.

Presents!! After dinner it was time for presents. He loved them all but most of all he got the Wii game he wanted so badly. He has become quite the Wii expert lately and only had two games. I don't know who was more excited about the game though. Him or Dave...

The day was the perfect start to his fourth year.

Chill and Grill

A few weeks back I put out a call to all the moms I knew to put together a big surprise BBQ for all the dads. I was so happy when so many of them were up for pulling off a big bbq and potluck for the guys for father's day. I know that Dave, and I am sure all dads, would love to hang out with their friends more. When thinking of something to do for Dave, I tried to think of something that he would really like. And that is what came to mind. His gift was the folding table we used to house all the food. He has been wanting one for when he uses his smoker for awhile now.

I had the whole car packed and the food prepared and hiding in the basement fridge on Friday before he got home from work. Everything was set and Sunday morning I would have him open his present and find all the stuff for a grill out. 

Once we arrived, all the guys quickly started to play bags and the Jaxson and Aubrey immediately went to playing together non-stop. When Jill and Jay arrived with Miss Emma, Asher and her went off to play together. Asher took frequent stops at the food table because he was just tall enough to reach the chips and the fruit tray. The fruit tray was completely ransacked by the time the grill was done. Asher has plenty of fiber yesterday to say the least.

It was a great day. We set up shop in the shade and with the slight breeze it was nearly perfect weather. I was expecting it to be much hotter than it turned out to be. After eating way too many cheesecake filled strawberries and dessert bars we got packed up and got on our way.

It was a great party, you could tell with how completely filthy Asher was!! He has no problems getting messy or playing in the dirt. Every inch of exposed skin had some type of dirt or mess on it. Even though it was late I plunked them both in the bath before it was time to hit the sack.

And now here are all the dads.. and some moms... with the little people that make them a dad!! 

Father's Day

Jaxson is now getting to understand what Father's day is all about. That helps to start to do more fun projects with him and we picked out a perfect one for Dave's special day. I found the printables on a craft blog and followed the tutorial on making the book. It is so hilarious to hear what a three... almost four!... year old has to say.

The about him page reads:

My dad's name is daddy Dave. He is ten years old. He has black hair. For work he plays with his computer. His favorite hobby is to play with me. He likes to watch the Hawkeyes and baseball. I think he is funny when he says chicken butt. It makes me happy when he plays hide and seek. 

The I love dad because page has the following messages to Dave.

I love dad because.....

he makes dinner all his self
he teaches me to play new games
plays baseball with me
he takes me to Chucky Cheese and wins prizes
he is funny when he walks into the wall. I laugh. 


I loved doing this project!! And it made Dave laugh this morning so it was perfect!! I loved hearing what Jaxson said about Dave. My favorites though are that he plays with his computer for work and that he loves him because he walks into walls. (Dave plays the pretend hit your head on a door/wall trick and Jaxson thinks it is the funniest thing in the world!) Oh and to explain the chicken butt... the only joke Jaxson has ever remembered is "Guess what? Chicken butt!" They will say it back and forth for what seems to be forever and it never seems to get old. boys....


 

Impromptu Sprinkler Party

 It was an outdoor kind of day today. We just got home from a picnic at the park and played in the water at the beach. We definitely had our fill of Vitamin D this morning. I plopped Asher in his crib who was completely passed out...

Then Jax and I went out and watered the flowers. The flowers got plenty of water... and Jaxson decided he wanted to get in on the action too. By the end of the watering session he was completely soaked. Dripping, sopping wet. And giggling up a storm. He loved it!!  And it was fun to just be silly and let him play even in his regular clothes. That is what being a kid is all about right? Luckily we still had a dry towel in the car from the beach. We stripped him down and made our way inside. I think he is going to be pretty tired tonight!!

Memorial Day

We did some serious smoking on Memorial Day. At least Dave did.. the rest of us just sat around until all the ribs were done. :) He was practicing for Rib-a-Palooza..

While he looked after the smoker we played in the yard, rode big wheels, baseball and catch, and all other outside things we could think of. It was the perfect kick off to summer.

Jaxson loves starting at the top of this walkway with a slight hill with his big wheel and let it just go. He would really get going!!

aahh.. thanks for cooperating boys. oh wait...